North Western Blacks determined to go for the crown

Dilanka MANNAKKARA

The Carlton Super 7s second leg is ready to kick off at the Police Park grounds with the crowd sure to witness some fabulous 7s skills, vociferous tackles and mind-blowing speed by both local and international stars.

The first leg at Bogambra which was won by a fantastic North Western Blacks side which came back so strongly on the second day to win the final by thrashing giant killers Southern Sharks 41-07 would be licking their lips to win the Colombo leg as well and be crowned overall champs.

Peum Jayasinghe, Halai to the fore

In the final it was a little known Scrum half Peum Jayasinghe an ex Lalith Athulathmudali and St Josephs player who stole the limelight from international 7s magicians like Frank Halai and Joe Webber (both All Black 7s stars) by scoring two scintillating tries against the Southern Sharks. Jayasinghe will have to be at his best to repeat a performance of that caliber in Colombo as well.

The Blacks captained by Chanaka Chandimal had an average first day but came back with vengeance to win the trophy with some dominating play set up by their All Black stars four of them - Halai, Webber, Shane Christie and Warwick Lahmert. Frank Halai who is undoubtedly one of the best 7s players in the world will be the one to watch with his ruthless attacking play,shear power of a huge 6'5 frame and rock solid defense.

Young Joe Webber and Shane Christie will be the link men to Halai with some awesome side stepping and pinching the gaps of the opposition.

Skipper Chandimal will use his pace and nippiness to great effect while veteran powerhouse Rhadika Hettiarachchi who still has enough petrol in his engine to go through any defense will be a force to reckon in Colombo as well.

The crowds will also be able to witness some bone crunching tackles by ex - Sri Lankan player Dilip Selvam as well and youngsters Devinda Prasad and Soyuru Anthony will also turn on their game to make sure that the Blacks remain champions in Colombo as well.

The Blacks co owned by Johann Fernando and Rizly Illyas and managed by Dilroy Fernando are looking supremely confident of winning the title in Colombo as well.

However the start studded Uva Vipers team captained by All Blacks skipper D. J Forbes will pose a tough challenge to the North Western Blacks team. The firm favorites of the Kandy leg, the Vipers were beaten in a cliffhanger in the Semi Finals by The Blacks and it was the most intensely contested game of the tournament.

The Vipers who also have the services of the IRB 7s player of the year Tomasi Cama as well as Tim Mickelson of the All Blacks fame.

The Central Kings who were so close yet so far in their hometown Bogambara will also be a tough team to beat In Colombo. With players of the caliber of All Blacks star Zar Lawrence and the fastest man in the 7s circuit Dan Norton as well as Sri Lankan star Mohammed Sheriif who skippers the side will be a force to reckon with.

The Kings also will have the services of Navy Winger Chula Susantha as well as CR's Nigel Ratwatte who was fabulous in Kandy.

The Kings who ended up 5th place will be coming out all guns blazing in Colombo.Giantkillers Southern Sharks who were last year's overall runners up as well will be wanting to go all the way to win the Colombo leg.

The Southern Shark's foreign stars including the likes of Nalu Tuigamala and Edwin Cocker displayed some powerful runs pinching the gaps and breaking tackles with immense speed in Kandy. Kiwi player Tuigamala would be one of the players to watch and his attacking skills would be vital for the Sharks to fight for the title.

The Jaffna Challengers who were unbeaten and unstoppable on day one in Bogambara had a shocking second day and ended up a dismal 7th place.

The Challengers team which have Fiji national stars of the likes of Kolinsau and Wasoni Roko will be determined to put up a better show and live up to their reputation as one of the top teams.